Aucuba is a genus of 3 or 4 species of evergreen, dioecious shrubs from a wide variety of habitats from the Himalayas to E. Asia. While cultivated for their bold, alternate leaves and large fruits, aucubas are most valued for their tolerance of full shade, dry soils, pollution, and salt winds. Use as specimen plants, for hedges and screens, or to fill a dark corner. They are also suitable for containers outdoors and as large houseplants.
Golden dust is female, with leaves heavily speckled golden yellow. It’s a rounded, evergreen shrub with elliptic to ovate, glossy, mid-green leaves, to 8 inches long, usually with a few marginal teeth. In mid-spring, bears small, red purple flowers, the males with yellow anthers, in erect panicles to 4 in long. Female plants bear bright red berries, to half inches across, in autumn. All parts may cause mild stomach upset if ingested.

Care Tips

Cultivation

Grow in any but water-logged soil, in full sun or partial or full shade; variegated plants prefer partial shade. All are best in shade where summers are very hot, and all should be protected from winter sun and wind at the northern limit of hardiness. In containers, grow in soil-based potting mix. When in growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly; water sparingly in winter. When pruning, remove wayward or crossing shoots to maintain permanent, healthy framework. Prune in late winter or early spring, when dormant; some in late summer or early autumn to prevent bleeding of sap. Trim hedges and cut back shrubs hard in spring.